Operating mechanism for cut-outs.



E. P. LARSH.

OPERATING MEcHANlsM FOR CUT-ous.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.12 I9l6.

Patented Deo. 4, 1917.

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OPERATING MECHANISNI FOR CULUUTS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I2. 191s.

1 ,248 ,505 Patented Dec. 4, 1917..

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E. P. LARSH.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CUT-OUTS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 12. i916.

Patented Deo. 4, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 34 vso UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEErcE.

EVERETTYP. LARSH, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE BURNETT-LARSH MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CUT-OUTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 1917.

Application led February 12, 1916. Serial No. 78,082.

To all 'whom t may Concern.'

Be it known that EVERETT P. LARSH, citi zen of the United States, residing at Day chanical cut outs or control devices adaptedl to actuate an electric switch, open or close a valve, shift a clutch into or out of operative engagement, or perform other analgous op erations under the iniuence of variations of pressure, temperature, or intensity of an actuating medium.

In the principal figures of the drawing the apparatus has been shown in a form adapted to operate an electric switch under the influence of variations in fluid pressure. In other figures of the drawing the apparatus is illustrated in form to be controlled by variations of temperature, by thermostatic means or by variations of fluid level as by means of ioats.

In the form shown in the principal figures ofthe drawing the apparatus is particularly adapted for use in controlling the motor driven supply pump of private water systems. In the installation of such water systems it is customary to store water and air in a suitable tank or reservoir by means of a motor driven supply pump under suiicient pressure that the water may be discharged through the pipe lines of the distribution system by the influence of the air pressure within the tank or reservoir. Control or cut out devices have heretofore been applied A in conjunction with such systems which are intended to maintain the pressure within prescribed limits by setting the supply pump in operation when the pressure within the tank and distribution system falls below a predetermined pressure and to arrest the supply pump when the pressure has been restored to a predetermined degree.

In many instances these control devices ated condition. The actuating medium to the motor is thus reduced to such extent as to be insufficient to properly operate the motor before the pressure within the tank is sufficient to produce a full or complete stroke of the cut off device. Under such conditions the motor actuating medium may continue to flow which in the case of an electric motor not only results is loss of current but may result in serious deterioration of the motor coils and in the case of a Huid pressure motor would result in a waste of water, air or other operating medium.

The object of the present invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of such devices whereby theseditiiculties and disadvantages will be overcome and the device not only cheapened in construction but will be more efIicient in use, positive in operation, sensitive, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of'the invention is to provide quick operating means for positively imparting to the operated element a full or complete movement or stroke at such operation.

Further object of the invention is to provide improved means for completing the movement of the parts after such parts have been initially set or operated by the variation of pressure, temperature, or intensity as hereinafter described.

With the above primary and other inci dental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims. 1

Referrin to the drawings, Figuren-l is a side elevation of the assembled apparatus constructed to open and close an electric circuit by variations of fluid pressure. Fig.

:2 is a vertical sectional view of the assembled vation somewhat diagrammatic ofthe operative mechanism actuated by a float under influence of variations of fluid level. Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate two modes of controlling the apparatus by variations of temperature. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the application of the device to a valve. Fig. 13 is a plan view somewhat diagrammatic of the electric switch'illustrating the wiping Contact of the switch parts. Fig. 14 is a detail view of the application of the apparatus to a shifting clutch.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

In constructing the device there is employed a main frame comprising a hollow or chambered base 1 from which project upwardly parallel side plates 2 2 connected one with the other by tie bars 3 3. The base 1 is preferably formed in separable parts between which is clamped a flexible diaphragm 4. Spaced feet or supports 5 are provided on the base adapted to rest upon a table or bed plate and a centrally disposed screw threaded projection or nipple 6 is adapted to project through a suitable opening in the table or bed plate and receive a lock nut on the under side thereof. A passage 7 for the fluid under pressure leads to.

the under side of the diaphragm 4.

Restingupon the upper side of the diaphragm 4 and movable vertically in unison with the undulations of the diaphragm is a stem or shaft 8 having at its upper end a sliding bearing in a bushing 9 screw threaded into a transverse bar or head 10 extending between the plates 2 2. Adjacent to its lower end the stem or shaft 8 -is provided with a head or collar 11 upon which is engaged one end of a-helical tension spring 12, the opposite end of which bears upon the under face of the bushing 9. The spring 12 tends to resist the upward reciprocation of the shaft or stem 8 whereby the operation of the apparatus is prevented until the fluid pressure upon the diaphragm 4 becomes sufficiently great to overcome the tension of the spring 12. The tension of the spring 12 may be varied by screwing the bushing 9 a greater or less distance into the transverse vbar or head 10. f

Located below the collar or head 11 and connected thereto by meansl of a yoke 13 is a second head 14 having a sliding bearing in an opening 15 in the upper face of the base 1. A bearing plate 16 is engaged with the lower extremity of the'stem or shaft and distributes the weight of the shaft or stem and pressure of the spring 12 over a large area of the diaphragm.

F ulcrumed upon a transverse pin 17 engaged in the side plates 2 2 is a bell crank 18, the short arm of which carries a roller 19 engaging within the yoke 13 of the stem arm 29.

or shaft. The yoke is provided with'bear ing surfaces engaging the upper and lower sides of the roller 19 whereby any vertical variation of the shaft or stem 8 under the influence of increased pressure on the under side of the diaphragm 4 or the influence of the spring 12 upon decrease of pressure is transmitted to the bell crank 18 oscillating the latter about its fulcrum pin 17. Proj ecting laterally from the bell crank 18 is a stud or pin 20 projectin into a hole 21 of greater diameter than t e pin in the side plate 2. The kengagement of the stud or pin 20 with the opposite sides of the hole 21 limits the oscillation of the bell crank in either direction.

At its upper edge the long arm of the bell crank 18 carries a roller 22 which extends within the bifurcation 23 of the second bell crank 24 fulcrumed upon the transverse pin 25 which is supported in the side plates 2 2. The bifurcation 23 of the second bell crank 24 is somewhat Wider than the diameter of the roller 22 whereby there will be a limited degree of lost motion between said parts. The longer arm of the second bell crank 24 is also bifurcated as at 26 and extending across such bifurcation and mounted in the fingers of said arm is a rock shaft or pin 27.

F ulcrumed upon a transverse pin 28 supported in the side plates 2 2 `is a cut out In the drawing, particularly in the detail view Fig. 7, this cut out arm has been shown in the form of a double bell crank the pendent arms of which are connected transversely one with the other as at 30 and support a pendent lug 31 towhich the operated element such as the electric switch, the valve or other member may be connected. One ofthe arms 29 carries a projecting stud or pin 32 extending within an enlarged opening or hole 33 in the side plate 2. The oscillation of the cut out arm islimited by the engagement of the pin 32 with the opposite side of the hole or opening 33. I

The employment of the holes 21 and 3 in the side plates 2 to form limiting stops for the movable parts results in a consider-- able economy of manufacture. Heretofore it has been customary to cast lugs orpro jections upon the frame parts or upon the movable parts of such apparatus to form such limiting stops. However, more or less machine work must be resorted to inorder to accurately locate or surface such stops. In the present instance the holes 21 and 33 are drilled in the side plate 2 at the same time that the holes for the fulcrumed pins 17, 15 `and 28 are drilled. Such holes are all located with the saine drilling gig whereby the relation of the stops and the fulcrum points is constantly maintained. Iiikewise, the holes for the stop pins 2O and 32 are located by means of a drilling gig 'simultaneously with the location and drilling of the holes for the fulcrum pins 17 and 28 in the levers 18 .and 2. This feature of construction while seemingly simple results in a considerable saving inthe cost of manufacture and furthermore is conducive to greater accuracy.

Pivotally connected intermediate the eX- tremities of the cut out arms 29 is a swinging stirrup V34 from which extends centrally a, pin 35 projecting through and reciprocating in an opening 36 in the rock shaft 27 carried by the arm 24. Surrounding the pin 35 and interposed between the stirrup 24 at one end and the rock shaft 27 at the opposite end is a helical spring 37 which exerts a pressure upon/said parts and tends to turn the cut out arms 29 about its fulcrum pin 28. By changing the direction of the iniuence of the spring 37, z'. e., by oscillating the stirrup 34 .and pin 35 whereby the relation of the spring 37 with the arms 29 will be angular either upward or downward'according to the direction in which the cut out arm is to be moved, the spring 37 will effect the oscillation of said cut out arm. In the drawings, Figs. 1, 2, 3, there is shown carried upon the lug 31 of the cut out arm a block 38 of liber or other insulating ma terial to which is attached a transverse arcuate spring 39 carrying at each end contact p heads 40. The contact heads 40 are brought into engagement with independent terminal contact studs 41 carried by a block 42 of ber or other insulating material by the oscillation of the cut out arm 29. The block 42 carrying the terminal studs 41 is attached v by means of screws 43 to the main frame of the apparatus. The spring 39 is so proportioned and is held in such relation with the terminal stud 41 when the cut out .arm 29 is in inoperative position that'upon the oscillation of the cut out arm 29 to close the switch the contact heads 40 will engage the terminal? studs 41 before the arm 29 has completed its movement whereby the final movement of the cut out arm subsequent to the engagement of the head 40 with the studs 41 will occur against the tension of the connector spring 39 tending to change the radius of the arcuate spring and thereby force the contact heads 40 one from the other while in contact with the terminal studs 41 thereby causing a Vwiping action of the head 40 upon the studs 41 which insures a perfect electr-ical contact and maintains the contact surfaces clean and bright. This relation of the switch members is best illustrated in Fig. 12 in which the normal or open position of the switch is indicated at the top by dot and dash lines, the initial contact position of the switch when the cut out arm is in partially operated position is indicated by solid lines, and the final position being indicated by dotted lines. The movement of the contact heads 40 after their initial engagement with the terminal studs 41 is indicated by darts.

Operation of the apparatus: It will be noted that the arm 24 comprises one .arm of a lever mechanism, the other arm of which consists of the stirrup 34 and pin 35 with the interposed spring 37. The last mentioned `lever of the mechanism .is a.yielding one against the tension of the spring 37 whereby the lever mechanism may be oscillatcd alten nately in opposite directions beyond the dead center.' It will be noted that as the lever mechanism thus formed approaches the dead center the spring 37 is placed under tension. tensioned spring as the lever mechanism is moved to a position beyond the dead center serves to oscillate the cut out arm 29.

Assuming that the parts are in position as shown in Fig. 2 in which the fluid pressure is low and the electrical switch closed, which in the ordinary l'installation' would cause the motor driven pump to be operated to increase the fluid pressure upon the diaphragm, as the pressure increases the diaphragm 4 will e pressed upward causing an upward reciprocation of the stem or shaft 8 against the tension of the spring 12. Thisupwardl movement of the shaft 8 is transmitted by the yoke 13 to the bell crank 18 and thence to the arm 24 of the toggle before mentioned. In this operative movement the roller 22 at the upper end of thev bell crank 18 bears against the outer side of the bifurcation 23 of the arm 24 thereby .tending to oscillate the arm 24 downward.

As the arm 24 oscillates downward the distance between the fulcrum point of the stirrup 34 and the rock shaft 27 carried by the arm 24 is gradually shortened. In this shortening -movement the pin 35 carried by the stirrup 34 is projected through the opening 36 of the rock shaft 27. This movement of the arm 24 is accomplished against the tension of the spring 37 which is gradually placed under tension as the arm 24 approaches a position of alinement in relation with the aXis of the stirrup 34. During this tensioning of the spring 37 the movement of the cut out arm 29 is resisted by the engagement of the pin 32 with the lower side of the opening 33 as indicated in Fig. It will be understood that the movement of the arm 24 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to position in which the aXis of the rock shaft 27 is alined with the fulcrum 25 and the aXis of oscillation of the stirrup 34 is accomplished gradually and in unison with the gradual increase of pressure upon the under side of the diaphragm 4. During this initial or .setting movement of the parts the cut out arm 29 has not varied its position but the circuit switch is maintained closed. As before mentioned, the bifurca- The subsequent expansion of the tion 23 of the arm 24 is slightly larger than the roller 22 whereby there is permitted a limited degree of play or lost motion. A slight movement of the arm 24 beyond the dead center or position of alinement will cause the arm 24 to move quickly under the influence of the compressed spring 37 through the degree of movement permitted by the lost motion or play incident to the enlargement of the bifurcation 23 whereby the spring 37 is moved beyond the dead cen-- ter very quickly and the direction of its influence is changed whereby the spring exerts an upward pressure upon the stirrup 34 and thereby upon -the cut out arm 29 rwhich by the expansion of the spring 37 is'suddenly oscillated upward within the limits prescribed by the hole 33 in the plate 2. This oscillatory movement of the cut out arm 29 under the influence of the -spring 37 serves to disengage the contact heads 40 and terminal studs 41 as shown in Fig. 3. The parts remain in their operated position as shown in Fig. 3 so long as the Huid pressure on the under side of the diaphragm 4 is sufiicient to overcome the tension of the spring 12. However, as the pressure decreases the spring gradually forces the stern or shaft 8 downward, thereby oscillating the bell crank 18 which acts upon the arm 24 through the bifurcation 23 in the reverse direction, tending to again aline the lever mechanism, before mentioned, against the tension of the spring 37 until the position of alinement or dead center is reached whereupon the lost motion or play incident to the enlargement of the bifurcation 23 permits the arm 24 to pass beyond the dead center independent of the bell crank 18 whereupon the force of the compressed spring 37 is eX- erted downward and the subsequent expansion of the spring 37 serves to oscillate the cut out lever 29 to return the contact head 40 into engagement with the terminal studs 41.

It will be seen that the apparatus is set or initially operated in one direction by the preponderance of fluid pressure on` the under side of the diaphragm 4 which exceeds the tension ofthe spring 12 and-in the opposite direction by the preponderance of the tension of the spring 12 over the lliuid pressure. However, the fluid pressure and spring actuate the parts only throughout their initial or setting movement. The cut out arm 29 is quickly oscillated in both directions by the subsequent expansion' of the spring 37. This action of the arm 29 is accomplished by changing the abutment of the spring 37 from the point below the opera-tive connection with the cut out arm to a point above the connection with the cut out arm and vice versa.

In Fig. 9 there is illustrated a modification wherein a vertically movable oat 44 connected by a link 44 to an extension 45 of the arm 24 is employed in lieu of` the diaphragm 4 and bell crank 18. The mechanism and operation is otherwise as before described. In the construction shown in Fig. 9 the cut out arm 29 is controlled by variations of fluid level. -rses the arm ,24 will be oscillated downward, thereby compressing the spring 37 (not shown in this figure) which in turn will oscillate the cut lout arm 29 in the manner before described. Upon a downward movement of the float 44 the operation of the parts will be reversed. The said parts will be actuated through such reverse operation either by the Weight of the 'float 44 which will pull downward upon the arm 45 or by means of a spring similar to the spring 12 before mentioned whichy may be employed in conjunction with the weight 44. In Fig. 10 there is shown in lieu of the bell crank 18 a thermostatic bar 46 preferably composed of strips of material possessing di1ferent degrees of expansion whereby the excess of expansive force of one material over that of the other will tend to warp the thermostatic bar as indicated by dotted lines in said figure. The thermostatic bar 46 carries at its upper end a roller'47 corresponding to the roller 22 of the primary construction which operates in the bifurcation 23 of the arm 24 in the manner before described. Thus an excess of temperature will cause the thermostatic bar 46 to warp in one direction and thereby oscillate the arm 24 to reverse the cut out arm 29 while a decrease of temperature will through contraction of the thermostatic bar operate the parts in reverse direction. However, a spring such as the spring 12 may be employed to return the parts.

In Fig. l1 there is illustrated a construction embodying the bell crank lever 18 previously described to whichA is connected a tbermostatic rod 48 which by its expansion and contraction under varying degrees of temperature tends to oscillate the bell crank 18 to operate the parts in the manner before described. The cut out arm 29 may be conneoted to a clutch lever 51 by which a clutch member 52 may be thrown into and out of engaging position as indicated in Fig. 14.

As the float 44 While the cut out arm 29 has been shown I is susceptible of modification in its. form, proportion, detail construction, or arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to certain structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific details but that the means and construction herein described comprise but one mode of putting the invention into elect and the invention is therefore claimed broadly in any of its possible forms or modifications Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a device of the character described, the combination with `a member to be operated of a movable actuating member therefor, a lever mechanism controlling said movable actuating member, and means for oscillating the members of the lever mechanism in opposite directions to alternate the movement of the actuating member.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a member to be operated of a movable actuating member therefor, a lever mechanism, a spring placed under tension by the operation of the lever mechanism adapted to move said actuating member, and means for operating the lever mechanism to tension the spring.

3. In adevice of the character described, a member tobe operated, a movable actuating member, an actuating spring therefor, a movable abutment for said spring and means for shifting the said movable abutment in relation to the point of application of the spring with the actuating member whereby the spring will alternately operate said member in opposite directions.

4. In a device of the character described, a member to be operated, a movable actuati ing member, an actuating spring therefor,

a swinging support for the spring adapted by its movement to cause the spring to'act in diil'erent directions upon the actuating member to move said member in different directions and means to shift said swinging support.

5. In a device of the character described, a member to be operated, a movable actuating member therefor, a lever mechanism controlling said actuating member one link of which is resilient, means for oscillating the lever mechanism whereby said resilient link'is placed under tension, the actuating member being moved by the subsequent reaction of the resilient link.

6. In a device of the character described, a member to be operated, a movable actuating member, a lever mechanism the members of which are slidingly connected one with the other, an operating springfor said actuating member placed under tension by the relative movement of the lever mechanism, and means .for operating the lever mechanism.

7. In a device of the character described a helical actuating, spring, two relatively movable abutments for said spring, means for moving one of the spring abutments thereby placing the helical spring under tension, the subsequent reaction of which Will serve to move the second abutment, andt cutout means actuated by the movement ol the second abutment.

8. In a device of the character described, two independently movable arms capable of oscillatory movement to and fro beyond positions of alinement one with the other, a spring interposed between the free ends of the, arms placed under tension by the relative movement of the arms/as they approach a position of alinement, adapted by its subsequent reaction to actuate said arms beyond a position of alinement,'1neans .for actuating one of said arms substantially into a position of alinement with the other arm, and cutout means actuated by the movement of the second arm.

9. In a device of the character described, a movable cutout, an actuating member, a 95 lever mechanism controlling said member, means for initially operating said lever mechanism toward a position of alinement or dead center, and means for imparting to the lever mechanism an additional movement beyond dead center independent of the initial actuating means, said actuating member being operated by said additional movement. l

10. In a device of the character described, a movable cutout, an actuating member, a levermechanism controlling the movement of the member, means for operating the lever mechanism to cause it to approach a position of dead center, and means placed in operative condition lby the approach of the lever mechanism toward dead center for actuating the lever mechanism beyond the dead center position and thereby imparting movement to the actuating member.

11. In a device of the character described, a movable cutout, an actuating member, a lever mechanism controlling the movement of the member, means for operating the lever mechanism to cause it to approach a po-V 120 sition of dead center, and means placed in operative condition by the approach of the lever mechanism toward dead center for imparting movement to the actuating member independent of the lever` mechanism operat- 1 25 ing means. I

12. In a device of the character described, a movable cutout, an actuating member, a lever mechanism controlling the movement of the member, means for operating the le- 130 ver mechanism to cause it to approach a position of dead center, there being a limited degree of lost motion or play between the said operating means and the lever mechanism whereby the toggle will be permitted a limited movement beyond position of dead center independent of the operating means, and means for imparting motion to the actuating member by the movement of the lever mechanism.

13. In a device of the character described, two oscillatory arms extending each toward the other, a resilient link connecting the free ends of the arms, means for oscillating one of the arms thereby tensioning the resilient link, said link being adapted by its reaction to move the second arm, and a cutout connected to the second arm.

14:. In a device of the character described two oscillatory arms extending each toward the other, a helical spring interposed between the free ends of the arms and abutting on each arm, means for moving one arm to change the relation of the spring abutments whereby the spring will act upon the second arm in a different direction, thereby oscillating said l.arm and a cut out connected l thereto.

15. In a device of the character described, a member to be operated, a movable actuating member therefor, means for imparting movement to the actuating member, a control lever one arm of which is bifurcated controlling said means, and a vibratory operating member engaging in the bifurcation of the control lever.

16. In a device of the character described, a member to be operated, a movable actuating member therefor, means for imparting movement to the actuating member, a control lever controlling said means, and a vibratory operating memberv operatively, en-

gaged with the control lever lby a loose connection whereby one of said members will be capable of a limited movement independent of the other member. 17. In a device of the character described, a main frame, a member to be operated, a movable actuating membertherefor, means for imparting movement to the actuating member, a movable control member and a variable operating member operatively connected with the control member, and means for limiting the degree of movement of the operating parts comprising a stud on the member to be limited engaging in a drill hole in the main frame.

18. In a device of the character described, a main frame, a member to be operated,.a movable actuating member, means for imparting movement to the actuating member, means for setting the movement imparting means in operative` condition, a stud carried by a movable member of the combination, said frame having a hole drilled therein of greater diameter than the stud, the opposite sides of which form limiting stops determining the degree of movement of the member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 9 day of February A. D.

EVERETT P. LARSH. Witnesses C. E. BURNETT, M. C. ROYER. 

